Raduyev Warns Kremlin as Russia Declares State of Emergency

Grozny; Moscow July 29 (RFE/RL) -- Chechen Field Commander Salman Raduyev warned today that last week's explosions at railway stations in the southern Russian cities of Volgograd and Astrakhan were a final warning to the Russian government to stop the war in Chechnya.

Raduyev told an RFE/RL correspondent in Chechnya that harsher acts of "war terrorism" would now follow.

Meanwhile, Itar-tass said a state of emergency has been declared for Russia's railway system following a series of recent bombing attacks.

It said security forces and police are patrolling railway stations after four attacks or attempted attacks over the last ten days. Earlier this month, some 30 people were injured in two separate attacks--both claimed by Raduyev--on trolleybuses in Moscow.

In Grozny, Raduyev cast doubt on peace agreements reached in Moscow and Nazran between separatist and Russian commanders. He said the agreements were invalid, since they did not recognize Chechnya's independence.

The agreements call for a ceasefire followed by a gradual Russian troop withdrawal from Chechnya. Raduyev said that because of this, upcoming talks between Russian commander Anatoly Kvashin and separatist Chief of Staff Aslan Maskhadov would be doomed to fail.

The Chechnen separatist leadership, saying it seeks a resumption of talks with Moscow, disowned Raduyev and renounced any recourse to terrorism.